Freelander drone

Rear Diff? Viscous Coupling? IRD(Transfer Box)?? Worse case scenario.

Wheel bearing? Poor Tracking Alignment? Tyre wear? Bearings on vcu? Not so bad scenario.

Could be many things or any of the above?

Christian.

trackman said:

Our 2004 TD4 Freelander has developed a drone and slight vibration at apx. 50mph @2600rpm and higher. Mileage only 37k, no other unusual noises. Any ideas would be really appreciated.

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Could be tyres not so good any more? go for simple first ie tyres then wheel bearings etc etc.

37k?? had any new tyres fitted recently?

Your symptoms sound exactly the same as mine (2001 ES Td4), droning, vibration between 60-70mph...

I have changed the VCU and bearings, Rear Diff and all three Diff Mounts AND have swapped the front and rear tyres around - still the same and so she has gone ino my local specialist for UJ replacement on the front prop and further investigation...i'll let you know what, if anything, is the prognosis

I thought the front prop was a sealed unit - cant to UJ or gaiter?

Mine always drones when the rear tyres get on a bit - they always go out of shape after approx 10k miles on the back (yes I know you should always swap them around but I do a LOT of miles) - put a new set on this weekend, no drone

The Mad Hat Man said:

I thought the front prop was a sealed unit - cant to UJ or gaiter?

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True enough - but the prop connection into the VCU is via a UJ and it's this one I'm having replaced. Apologies for misleading.

Thanks for all replies chaps, going to swap the tyres round first then decide from there.

Chaser said:

37k?? had any new tyres fitted recently?

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Do you know Freelanders are very touchy regarding tyres, stick to the rules, always newest on the rear.....

You where absolutely correct, put new tyres on the rear and problem solved. Landrover told me you should change all four tyres together on Freelanders.
All right for them to say that their not paying.

Thanks to all for the advice.

trackman said:

Landrover told me you should change all four tyres together on Freelanders. All right for them to say that their not paying.

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That's because the drive system is so badly designed/engineered that it can't cope with variations in tyre sizes. Ignore their advice and you could be splashing out for new VCU & IRD as well as a set of new tyres. :doh:

can be quite sensitive to tyre pressures too, might be worth having a play around with pressure, a few psi each way can make a big difference in ride and handling.

I recently replaced the rear tyres on wifes FL and got exactly the symptom described above. Went back to tyre shop, measured circumference on front and rear tyres, new rears were 15mm greater circumference than front pair..... Renewed front as well
Fixed the noise and vibration problem and at least she now has several thousand miles worth of rubber on the car.
Must be some very talented engineers working at LR?

Keith

mrtibbs said:

I recently replaced the rear tyres on wifes FL and got exactly the symptom described above. Went back to tyre shop, measured circumference on front and rear tyres, new rears were 15mm greater circumference than front pair..... Renewed front as well
Fixed the noise and vibration problem and at least she now has several thousand miles worth of rubber on the car.
Must be some very talented engineers working at LR?

Keith

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If there is they've kept em well hidden for the last 60 years. crap design and massive tolerances are what have inadvertantly kept Landies running as long as they have. Jap cars are built to very fine tolerances and when summat goes wrong they break big style. Whereas LR (& most British cars/bikes) are built to such varied and wide tolerance they can absorb damage warping flex etc that would kill a slitty, and still carry on running